The Stone Prince (Branion series, Book 1)

I liked this book mainly for the two protaganist in the story..Prince Demnor nad Kel...I really wanted more from Kel'z character, for instinct..Can't the author give him another guy to make the Prince Jealous and i really don't take to girl the prince married..I wish there was another book to continue from this one... Overall, really like the book, reason why i gave it 5 stars..I had it for awhile now but never did a review here but am doing so now...I find myself re-reading it at times..

It all hinges on whether you accepts this world's dominating bisexuality - or rather, the lack of sexual discrimination in social careers and private preferences alike: lords, commanders, knights of arbitrary sex, men being jealous of other men and women alike, women eager to give birth so they can return to the battlefield. Then it becomes a fascinating experience and testing of ones own prejudices, specially with the many elaborate side characters. The centerpiece is the romantic love between Prince Demnor and his male Courtisane Kelahnus, and if Kelahnus is faithful in his love but not so much in his sexlife, as others have complained here, Demnor does not seem to mind, and I find it not so astonishing for a world in which marriage has just been legal for a hundred years. - Stripping the novel of this nice socio-sexual fantasy leaves a quite straightforward plot with very decent battle scenes. The retrospectives are inserted a little clumsily into the main storyline, but for a first novel that is alright and rather falls back on the publisher. The same holds for the often unnecessarily lengthy, plot-impeding prose and the language which is sometimes shallow. Still, a five-pointer.

Of all the fantasy books that I've read, The Stone Prince lies securely within the top 10. Deviating from almost every fantasy cliché, Fiona Patton has created a unique, incredible world that is a joy to escape to.Prince Demnor and his Companion/beloved Kelahnus live in a rich world of intertwined, sometimes backstabbing families, where men and women stand as equals. There are no ladies, princesses, duchesses or queens here. Males and females both are referred to with what we consider masculine titles. Both Demnor and his younger sister Quindara are referred to as "Prince," and Demnor's betrothed, a woman named Isolde, is referred to as Lord Isolde, Earl of Essendale. The ruler of Branion, whether male or female, is the Aristok. How refreshing, to see a world where men and women are given the same opportunities and judged by what they accomplish, not their sex!Characters are rich and elaborate, with both strengths and weaknesses focused on (and even exploited). Some readers have complained that Kelahnus "fails as a Companion," but please remember: he's only human! His key into the School of Companions was his beauty, after all, so it's no surprise that he's a bit vain. As for sleeping around, it's amazing what one can learn between the sheets, even from a simple stable boy. The fact that he can be defeated is not a mark of his worth as a Companion. Companions graduate from different classes, and just because he was at the top of his class does not mean that he's better than those at the top of other classes. Besides, his strong points are spying and the arts of pleasure, to which His Most Regal and Sacred Majesty, Demnor the Fifth, Aristok of Branion, Kormandeaux and Aquilliard, Gaspellier, Poitienne, Roland, Hereditary Earl of the Danelind Islands of Columba, Gracious Sovereign of the Triarchy, Most High Patron of the Knights of the Sword, Vessel of the Living Flame, will gladly testify! (Or, as Kelahnus calls him, Your Most Passionate Highness.)As for the titles... Well, that's their way. Personally, I don't mind them, and I love how Fiona Patton includes the names of all the different countries and clans, not just a few main regions. If you can't keep up with them, then perhaps you should read something a little simpler that doesn't require as much thought or intelligence.The sexual nature of Patton's writing is brilliant as well. Homosexuality and bisexuality are neither embraced nor condemned in the Branion series. Rather, they are simply accepted as a way of life, not raised above heterosexuality or considered improper. Most nobles have their own Companion, a person of the same sex who acts as an assassin, a spy, a bodyguard, and attends to their master's physical needs as well. Demnor and Kelahnus, his companion, just happen to be very deeply in love. And, while Demnor likes his wife, Lord Isolde, it's more as a friend and a fellow noble than as a wife and mother. They bear children together and enjoy each other's company, but Demnor's hea

The first thing I was struck with..Awe. I thought it was so awesome to have a world in which gender is not what matters. Where woman are out on the hunts with the men, where women rule just like a man and a title doesn't change to become feminine. I also loved the Companions. That in this world love between those of the same gender is accepted. I found it easy to read, but did get lost in the titles, but then again that is somehting that gave the book more than it's words. The battles were well written, the ceremony's were beutifull, and the love seens left just enouph to the imagination to leave you feeling a little warm hearted. Fallow Demnor through his journy of self exploration with his love with an Earl(his inteded wife) and his companion(a male). See him fight for the respect of his mother, and see the little boy that hides with in the "stone prince". Fallow the Heathland rebellion, and.,..hmm thought i'd give something away huh? well just read it! If you like Fantasy books, if you like the time of knights and honor, than read this book. I loved it, and it and Mrs/Ms. Patton is now within the ranks of my favorite authors.WONDERFULL! Michael

A beautifully evocative tale of the evolution of one man's maturity, power and love.Filled to bursting with strong characters (I even found myself *liking* the antagonists, or at least respecting them), this novel paints a portrait of a young man who learns to love in spite of the cold unfeeling treatment given to him by his mother. Oh, and along the way there are battles, blood, gore and a bit of hot monkey sex, but I digress...No, this is not your grandmother's fantasy/romance novel (there be male/male love in this here book), but for some of us, it is just *perfect*.Kudos, Ms. Patton.